DeceptionHow it works & interactions with other cards

What Deception Does

Deception is a straightforward sorcery that targets a single opponent. Upon resolution, that player must choose and discard two cards from their hand. If they have only one card, they discard that one; if they have no cards, the spell simply finishes resolving with no effect.

Resolving the Spell Step by Step

First, you cast Deception and choose a target opponent. Second, players have a chance to respond with spells or abilities. Third, as Deception resolves, the targeted opponent chooses two cards from their hand and puts them into their graveyard. Finally, Deception itself is placed into your graveyard.

Common Mistakes

Players often forget that Deception is a sorcery, meaning it can only be cast during your own main phase when the stack is empty. Additionally, remember that the target opponent chooses which cards to discard, not you. If your opponent has no cards in hand, you can still cast the spell to trigger other effects, but it will not result in any discards.

When to Play Deception

The best time to cast Deception is during the early to mid-game when your opponent is holding powerful spells or trying to set up a specific combo. It is particularly effective after an opponent has used search effects to add specific cards to their hand, forcing them to potentially lose their most valuable resources.

Interaction examples

Disrupting the Library Search

Demonic Tutor

If your opponent casts Demonic Tutor to find a specific win condition, you can cast Deception on your following turn. Since they just added a high-value card to their hand, forcing them to discard two cards increases the statistical likelihood that they will have to discard the card they just searched for.

Emptying the Hand after a Draw

Lord of Change

An opponent might cast Lord of Change to refill their hand with three new cards. By casting Deception immediately afterward, you mitigate their card advantage by forcing them to immediately discard two of those newly drawn resources, neutralizing the 'Architect of Deception' trigger.

Setting Up the Board

Toxic Deluge

In a tactical scenario, you might cast Toxic Deluge to clear a crowded battlefield. Once the creatures are gone, follow up with Deception to strip the opponent of the cards they were saving to rebuild their board state, leaving them with neither a presence on the table nor options in their hand.